National Surveillance System for antimicrobial resistance set up: Nadda

New Delhi, April 19 (IANS) Health Minister J.P. Nadda on Wednesday said his ministry has taken a slew of measures against Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) like setting up a National Surveillance System.

He added that the ministry has also enacted regulations to regulate the sale of antibiotics and brought out National Guidelines for the use of antibiotics.

Stating that more efforts are required considering India's large size and magnitude of problems, Nadda said that AMR needs to be addressed comprehensively under "One Health Approach".

Nadda was speaking at the 'Inter-Ministerial Consultation on AMR containment' here, attended by various misters including Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Ram Vilas Paswan and Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Anil Madhav Dave.

The ministers later signed a 'Delhi Declaration' for collectively strategizing to contain AMR. It pledges to adopt a holistic and collaborative approach towards prevention and containment of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in India.

AMR is the ability of a microorganism (like bacteria, viruses, and some parasites) to stop an anti-microbial (such as antibiotics, antivirals and antimalarials) from working against it. As a result, standard treatments become ineffective, infections persist and may spread to others.

The Declaration calls on all stakeholders including United Nations, World Health Organisation, Food and Agricultural Organisation and other UN agencies, civil society organisations and others to support the development and implementation of the national and state action plans on AMR.

"Antimicrobial resistance is a serious threat to global public health that requires action across all government sectors and society and is driven by many interconnected factors. Single, isolated interventions have limited impact and coordinated action is required to minimize the emergence and spread of AMR," said Nadda.

Calling the Delhi Declaration a landmark occasion, Nadda also said that the government is ready with a blueprint that meets global expectations.

"The challenge now is in its efficient implementation through a coordinated approach at all levels of use of antibiotics," Nadda said.

Other ministries also extended support in the efforts against AMR. Environment Minister Dave said that Environment Ministry is conscious of the AMR threat and shall contribute in every possible way.

Highlighting the ill effects of irresponsible use of antibiotics, food adulteration, excessive insecticides, pesticides, fungicides on human and animal health Ram Vilas Paswan stressed on the need for creating more awareness among masses and strict laws against adulteration.